§ 9. Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people are earning incomes which are tax-free although above the level at which incomes normally become taxable; and if he will ensure that such incomes pay their due share of taxation.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs income which is not in law taxable is normally not required to be the subject matter of an Income Tax return, the information is not, of course, available.
§ Mr. HamiltonDoes not the right hon. Gentleman nevertheless accept the inference in the Question, that there are incomes which are not subject to tax but which would ordinarily be so subject? If that is the case, how can he and his Government expect the organised workers to accept any kind of incomes policy?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterWhen the hon. Member reflects upon some forms of income which do not attract tax, although the persons in receipt of them may be above the tax level, he may modify that view. They include war disability pensions, unemployment benefit and interest on National Savings Certificates.
§ Mr. HamiltonWill the right hon. Gentleman just give a categorical answer to a categorical question, namely, whether he will seek to tax the incomes of people who own tax-free toll bridges, and who have done so for 250 years?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat point seems more appropriate to the next Question. I will call the hon. Member to ask Question No. 10.